Tuesday, a D.C. Council committee agreed on a measure that would limit the information-sharing that currently allows the area’s jails to hold those suspected of being in the country illegally until federal officials can take over custody.

Under the new law, the District of Columbia would only hold immigrants wanted for serious crimes within the last 10 years and only hold them for 24 hours with the expectation that the they will be reimbursed by the federal government.

Councilwoman Muriel Bowser, told the Washington Examiner, ‘The Metropolitan Police are there to keep the District safe and not to do the bidding of others.’

The measure is intended to prevent the implementation of Secure Communities, which is a program that calls for information-sharing between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. It is managed by the Dept. of Homeland Security’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and is often seen as allowing law enforcement to racially profile. Others like Councilwoman Bowser point out that rather than helping weed out criminals, Secure Communities keeps many afraid to report crime, for fear that they will be taken in to custody.

‘We know that Secure Communities is coming,” Councilwoman Bowser added. ‘This is going to be a step in the direction of making sure that an immigrant mother who needs help from the police can call the police.’